People are not tuning in to watch the Welsh parliament in action because they find the assembly debates "too dull", a Plaid Cymru AM has admitted.

Steffan Lewis, who represents the South East Region, said the public see the building as more of an office than the heart of Welsh democracy.

Elin Jones, the Presiding officer, said she agreed there was a "job of work" to make the assembly more relevant to viewers.

The SeneddCredit:
PA

Writing in an essay suggesting how the whole system could be improved, he said: "People are interested when we give them something to be interested in.

"I think there is an onus on political groups to be more creative with the topics they choose for debates in the Senedd that might liven things up by providing passionate exchanges on more timely and topical issues."

"People don't follow what's happening because every time they tune in, they find the proceedings too dull to watch."

The Welsh parliament Credit:
PA

Writing for the Institute for Welsh Affairs' blog Click on Wales, he said he was often told that the assembly is "boring".

"I know polls tell us people don't like the ya-boo of the [House of] Commons, but deep down I suspect most actually find it entertaining at least," he said.

With the exception of the First Minister's Question Time and the "odd debate", the Senedd chamber "often resembles more of an open-plan office area rather than the seat of our national democracy".

In the article, Mr Lewis said the "first few months of this assembly term have, in fact, been more exciting than in the past".

"The EU referendum alone provided plenty of opportunity for passion from both sides of the debate.

He said when the assembly has provided "drama", such as with the election of the first minister, "the public viewing gallery in the Senedd ran out of tickets".